This is an elephant-back ride at Habarana, arranged as a tour from Dambulla. It is a short, hands-on encounter rather than a wildlife safari: you ride, you help feed the elephant, and you watch it being bathed, all within about an hour.
Habarana is a village on a major road junction almost equidistant between Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and Dambulla, close to Sigiriya and Ritigala. Elephant rides here are run by hotels and local operators, each elephant with a mahout, the elephant's keeper and handler, who walks alongside or sits up front and directs the animal throughout.
The experience covers three parts. The ride itself lasts around 30 minutes, with passengers seated on a padded seat strapped to the elephant's back. Alongside the ride there is time to feed the elephant and to watch it being bathed and groomed by its keepers.
Food and drinks are not included, and neither are tips for the mahout and handlers. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a wide-brimmed hat or a peaked cap to keep off the sun.
